Improvement



HENRY P. STIGHTER, OF POTTSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEP-LADDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,114, dated May 11, 1875; application filed March 20, 1875.

The invention will first be fully described,

and then pointed out in the claim.

In the drawing, A represents the main part or body of a step-ladder, and B the brace part, which is connected thereto by levernrms G, pivoted to the sides of body and brace for ad inittin g the ready swinging of the brace from its folded-up position along the body of the ladder into inclined supporting position toward the same. The upper rounded-off ends of the brace B fit into corresponding recesses a near the top part of body A, and have heretofore been seat-ed therein, for giving stability to the brace by carefully introducing the brace ends to the recesses. This has been inconvenient, especially in larger and heavier step-ladders; and I have, therefore, connected the upper parts of the body and brace with an additional set of pivoted guidelevers, D, that are made of such length and applied in such a manner that, on the throwing open of the brace, the direct positive entering and seating of the brace ends into the recesses of the body is produced without the least inconvenience and loss of time. The brace is then furthermore locked by pivot-hooks and staples, and offers greater security and stability when in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A ladder having the upper ends of bracelegs hook-held in groove-seats a a of the body, as shown and described, to prevent the brace from slipping or folding up.

HENRY P. STIGHTER.

Witnesses:

JOHN HERBERT, E. J. WALKER. 

